Bedding Rose Plant Named &#39;MEINATOPE&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of rose plant, referred to by its cultivar name, ‘MEINATOPE’, is disclosed. The new variety forms attractive, simple very pale pink colored flowers. Attractive semi-glossy foliage is formed, which contrasts beautifully with the blossoms. A bushy growth habit is displayed. The new variety is well suited for providing attractive ornamentation in the landscape.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLCIATIONS

This application claims priority to Plant Breeders' Right ApplicationNumber 2021/2221, which was filed at Community Plant Variety Office inthe European Union on Sep. 7, 2021, the contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference for all purposes.

Latin name of genus and species of plant claimed: Rosa hybrida.

Variety denomination: ‘MEINATOPE’.

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR

The first offer for sale of the new variety was Feb. 22, 2021 in France.The first offer for sale of the new variety was by the inventor oranother who obtained the new variety directly or indirectly from theinventor. No plants of the new variety have been sold in this country oranywhere in the world, nor has any disclosure of the new plant beenmade, more than one year prior the effective filing date of thisapplication, and such sale or disclosure within one year was eitherderived directly or indirectly from the inventor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new variety of bedding rose plant of the present invention wascreated by controlled breeding at Le Cannet des Maures, Var, France byartificial pollination wherein two parents were crossed which previouslyhad been studied in the hope that they would contribute the desiredcharacteristics. The female parent (i.e., the seed parent) of the newvariety was an unnamed seedling (not patented) from the cross betweenthe ‘MEINOIRAL’ variety (not patented) and an unnamed seedling (notpatented). The male parent (i.e., the pollen parent) of the new varietywas the ‘MEIZMEA’ variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,175).

The parentage of the new variety can be summarized as follows:

(‘MEINOIRAL’ x Unnamed Seedling) x ‘MEIZMEA’

The seeds resulting from the above pollination were sown and smallplants were obtained which were physically and biologically differentfrom each other. Selective study resulted in the identification of asingle plant of the new variety.

The new variety has been found to undergo asexual propagation in LeCannet des Maures, Var, France by a number of routes, including eyebudding, softwood cuttings, and hardwood cuttings. Asexual propagationby the above-mentioned techniques in Le Cannet des Maures, Var, Francehas shown that the characteristics of the new variety are stable and arestrictly transmissible by asexual propagation from one generation toanother. Accordingly, the new variety undergoes asexual propagation in atrue-to-type manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It was found that the new variety of rose plant of the present inventionpossesses the following combination of characteristics:

-   -   (a) forms very pale pink colored flowers,    -   (b) produces simple flowers, and    -   (c) exhibits a bushy growth habit.

The new variety well meets the needs of the horticultural industry. Itcan be grown to advantage as ornamentation in parks, gardens, publicareas, and in residential settings. Accordingly, the plant isparticularly well suited for growing in the landscape.

The new variety of the present invention can readily be distinguishedfrom its ancestors. More specifically, the unnamed seed parent(‘MEINOIRAL’ x Unnamed Seedling) produces medium pink colored flowers,whereas the new variety produces very pale pink colored flowers. Inaddition, the ‘MEIZMEA’ variety (i.e., pollen parent) displays dark pinkcolored flowers, whereas the new variety displays very pale pink coloredflowers. Moreover, the new variety can be readily distinguished fromother similar non-parental varieties. For example, the ‘MEIPLUMTY’variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 27,317) exhibit a shorter and less wideplant compared to the new variety.

The new variety has been named ‘MEINATOPE’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph of the drawing shows as nearly true as it isreasonably possible to make the same, in a color illustration of thischaracter, typical specimens of the plant parts of the new variety. Therose plants of the new variety were approximately one year of age andwere observed during September while budded on their own roots andgrowing outdoors at Le Cannet des Maures, Var, France. Dimensions incentimeters are indicated at the bottom of the drawing.

Element 1—illustrates a specimen of a young shoot.

Element 2—illustrates a specimen of a floral bud before the opening ofthe sepals.

Element 3—illustrates a specimen of a floral bud at the opening of thesepals.

Element 4—illustrates a specimen of a floral bud at the opening of thepetals.

Element 5—illustrates a specimen of a flower in the course of opening.

Element 6—illustrates a specimen of an open flower — plan view —reverse.

Element 7—illustrates a specimen of an open flower — plan view —obverse.

Element 8—illustrates a specimen of a fully open flower — plan view —reverse.

Element 9—illustrates a specimen of a fully open flower — plan view —obverse.

Element 10—illustrates a specimen of a floral receptacle showingarrangement of the stamens and pistils.

Element 11—illustrates a specimen of a floral receptacle showingarrangement of the pistils (stamens removed).

Element 12—illustrates a specimen of a flowering stem.

Element 13—illustrates a specimen of a leaf with 3 leaflets — plan view— upper surface.

Element 14—illustrates a specimen of a leaf with 5 leaflets — plan view— upper surface.

Element 15—illustrates a specimen of a leaf with 7 leaflets — plan view— upper surface.

Element 16—illustrates a specimen of a leaf with 3 leaflets — plan view— under surface.

Element 17—illustrates a specimen of a leaf with 5 leaflets — plan view— under surface.

Element 18—illustrates a specimen of a leaf with 7 leaflets — plan view— under surface.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The chart used in the identification of the colors is that of The RoyalHorticultural Society (The R.H.S. Colour Chart, 2001 edition), London,England. The terminology which precedes reference to the chart has beenadded to indicate the corresponding color in more common terms. Thedescription is based on the observation of one-year-old specimens of thenew variety during September while budded on their own roots and growingoutdoors at Le Cannet des Maures, Var, France.

-   Botantical classification: Rosa hybrida cultivar MEINATOPE.    -   Commercial classification: Bedding Rose Plant.-   Plant:    -   -   Habit.—Bushy.        -   Height.—Approximately 90 cm on average.        -   Width.—Approximately 100 cm on average.-   Branches:    -   -   Color.—Young stems: commonly near Yellow-Green Group 146C            more or less suffused with near Greyed-Red Group 178B. —            adult wood: commonly near a color between near Yellow-Green            Group 146C and near Yellow-Green Group 146D.        -   Length.—From the crown to the flower is typically between 20            cm to 80 cm.        -   Diameter.—Typically between 0.5 cm to 0.8 cm on average.        -   Young shoots.—Anthocyanin coloration: more or less suffused            with near Greyed-Red Group 178B.        -   Thorns.—Configuration on adult stems: upright to slightly            convex, elongated and curved downward on the upper surface;            and concave on the under surface. — long prickles —            quantity: commonly 8 thorns per 10 cm long young stem and            commonly 9 thorns per 10 cm long adult stem. — long prickles            — length: typically between 1.2 cm to 1.3 cm on young stems            and approximately 1.0 cm on average on adult stems. — long            prickles — base shape: obovate. — long prickles — base            length: typically between 0.7 cm to 0.8 cm on young stems on            adult stems. — long prickles — base width: typically between            0.2 cm to 0.3 cm on young stems and on adult stems. — long            prickles — color on young stems: commonly a color between            near Greyed-Orange Group 176A and Greyed-Red Group 178A (the            tip of the thorn is near Yellow-Green Group 145A). — long            prickles — color on adult stems: commonly near Greyed-Yellow            Group 162A. — small prickles — quantity: absent.        -   Internode.—Numbers on the entire branch: typically between 5            to 16. — length: typically between 3.0 cm and 5.0 cm.-   Foliage:    -   -   General appearance.—Rather dense, with a semi-glossy aspect.        -   Number of leaflets.—3, 5, 7; most often 7.        -   7 Leaflets leaf.—Length: typically between 11.5 cm to            12.5 cm. — width: typically between 7.5 cm to 8.5 cm.        -   Terminal leaflet.—Length: typically between 4.5 cm to            5.5 cm. — width: typically between 2.5 cm to 3.0 cm.        -   New foliage.—Upper surface color: commonly near Green Group            137A very slightly suffused with near Greyed-Purple Group            187B. — under surface color: commonly near Green Group 138B.        -   Adult foliage.—Upper surface color: commonly near Green            Group 137A. — under surface color: commonly near Green Group            139C. — anthocyanin coloration: absent.-   Leaflets:    -   -   Shape.—Top: acuminate. — base: rounded.        -   Glossiness of upper surface.—Semi-glossy.        -   Texture.—Upper and under surfaces are leathery.        -   General appearance.—Oval.        -   Serration.—Small and single.        -   Undulation on the margin.—Medium.        -   Venation.—Color is commonly near Green Group 138A and            pattern is imparipinnate.        -   Petiole rachis.—Color of upper surface: commonly near Green            Group 137C. — color of under surface: commonly near Green            Group 138A. — texture: upper surface is little glandular,            under surface is very few prickles. — rachis of terminal            leaflet: length is typically 4.7 cm to 5.3 cm and diameter            is approximately 0.1 cm on average.        -   Petioles.—Upper surface: little glandular. — under surface:            very few prickles. — color of upper surface: commonly near            Green Group 137C. — color of under surface: commonly near            Green Group 138A. — length: typically between 2.3 cm to            2.7 cm. — diameter: approximately 0.1 cm on average.        -   Stipules.—Length: approximately 2.0 cm on average. — width:            typically between 0.1 cm to 0.2 cm. — color of upper            surface: commonly near Green Group 137B. — color of under            surface: commonly near Green Group 138B.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Number of flowers per stem.—Between 4 and 40 flowers per            stem.        -   Lastingness of the bloom.—On the plant: approximately 3            weeks. — in vase: not tested.        -   Bud.—Shape: conical. — size: small. — length: approximately            1.8 cm on average. — width: approximately 1.3 cm on average.            — color as calyx breaks: upper surface: commonly near a            color between Red Group 55B and Red Group 55C, basal spot is            very little and near Yellow-Orange Group 14A. under surface:            commonly near Yellow-White Group 158D amply suffused with            near Red Group 55A, basal spot is very little and near            Yellow-Orange Group 14C.        -   Sepals.—Number: commonly 5. — length: typically between 1.8            cm to 2.0 cm. — width: typically between 0.5 cm to 0.6 cm. —            shape: at the top: elongated and narrow. at the base:            upright. — extensions: absent or very weak extensions on 2            or 3 sepals, which number is between 1 and 3 per sepal;            length is typically between 0.4 cm to 0.5 cm, and width is            approximately 0.1 cm on average. — upper surface: texture:            tomentous. color: commonly near Green Group 138C. — under            surface: texture: smooth. color: commonly near Green Group            137D.        -   Receptacle.—Color: commonly near Green Group 137D. — length:            approximately 0.7 cm on average. — width: approximately 0.5            cm on average. — surface: smooth. — shape: pitcher shaped.        -   Peduncle.—Length: typically between 2.0 cm to 2.5 cm. —            width: approximately 0.1 cm on average. — surface:            glandular. — color: commonly near Green Group 138A.        -   Flower.—Average size when open: typically between 6.0 cm to            6.5 cm. — shape: flat cup shaped. — shape when viewed from            above: irregular rounded. — shape of the upper part of the            flower profile: flat. — shape of the lower part of the            flower profile: flat convex. — type: simple. — number of            petals under normal conditions: typically between 5 to 7            petals. — petals: shape: acute at the base and rounded or            lightly cordiform at the top. texture: leathery. length:            approximately 3.0 cm on average. width: typically between            2.5 cm to 2.7 cm. — undulation of the petal: weak. —            reflexing of the petal: very weak. — petal incision: very            weak. — petal arrangement: imbricated with sometime 1            petaloid (like a deformed petal). — petal drop: petals drop            off cleanly before drying. — fragrance: none. —            discoloration of the flower: the flowers remain on the plant            for a long period and after the total end of flowering; the            color of the flower from the open flower stage to the petal            drop stage evolves from Red-Purple Group 62D to White Group            155C. — color when opening: basal spot on the upper surface:            commonly near Yellow-Orange Group 14A. upper surface:            commonly near Red Group 55D. basal spot on the under            surface: commonly near Yellow-Orange Group 14C. under            surface: commonly near Yellow-White Group 158D amply            suffused with near Red Group 55B. — color of the open            flower: basal spot on the upper surface: commonly near White            Group 155C. upper surface of the flower: commonly near            Red-Purple Group 62D. basal spot on the under surface:            commonly near White Group 155C. under surface of the flower:            commonly near Red-Purple Group 62D. — anthers: number is 100            on average, length is approximately 0.1 cm on average, width            is approximately 0.1 cm on average, coloration is commonly            near a color between near Yellow-Orange Group 22A and near            Orange Group 24A, and arrangement is regular around styles.            — filaments: length is typically between 0.3 cm and 0.8 cm            and coloration is commonly near Greyed-Orange Group 163B. —            styles: length is typically between 0.5 cm to 0.7 cm,            coloration is commonly Greyed-Purple Group 185B, and number            is 18 on average. — stigmas: length is approximately 0.1 cm            on average and coloration is commonly near Greyed-Yellow            Group 162A. — pollen: color is commonly near Greyed-Orange            Group 163A. — hips: shape is rounded, diameter is commonly            0.8 cm to 1.0 cm, length is commonly 0.8 cm to 1.0 cm, color            is commonly a mix of near Red Group 42A with a little bit of            near Red Group 45A. — seeds: diameter is commonly 0.3 cm to            0.5 cm, length is commonly 0.3 cm to 0.5 cm, color is            commonly near Greyed-Yellow Group 162D.-   Development:    -   -   Vegetation.—Very strong.        -   Blooming.—Early in the season, very abundant and nearly            continuous typically from May to the first frosts in France.        -   USDA hardiness zone.—Zone 5 to 9.        -   Tolerance to disease.—Very good, and particularly against            Black Spot (Diplocarpon rosae).

The new ‘MEINATOPE’ variety has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions to date. Accordingly, it is possible that thephenotypic expression may vary somewhat with changes in light intensityand duration, cultural practices, and other environmental conditions.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of rose plant named ‘MEINATOPE’characterized by the following combination of characteristics: (a) formsvery pale pink colored flowers, (b) produces simple flowers, and (c)exhibits a bushy growth habit; substantially as herein shown anddescribed.